MASLOW & MOTIVATION
ALTRUISM


What seems to be the major motivating factor(s) for people that are affected by an eating disorder?
The major motivating factor for people that are affected by an eating disorder seem to be the media. In today's world, where we read tabloid papers for the details of our favorite celebrity relationship, or can open a magazine to see '10 steps to become thinner, faster!' next to paparazzi pictures of stars vacationing on some tropical island, the pressure to conform can become overwhelming. We are lead to believe that EVERYONE wants to become thinner, that EVERYONE ELSE fits into a size 00, and that all the famous beautiful people we see in/on tv/magazines/movies/gossip blogs/fashion shows are ONLY that attractive because they are SKINNY. We rationalize that if we became a little bit more like the successful people that we see in these media outlets, some of their success might rub off on us (which is why celebrity advertising works so well- 'Oh, maybe if i use the same shampoo as Megan Fox, ill become as attractive as she is"). The result of prolonged media exposure can be a damaged sense of self esteem, which can lead to distorted self image, which usually leads to an eating disorder.